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Zero-emission buses

New Flyer Xcelsior 40 buses charging on pantographs

Zero-emission buses
in service

As of Sept. 25, 2025 
30

Thirty zero-emission buses (ZEBs) are now in service. These include:

  • Four brand new Nova LFSe+ buses
  • Twenty-two new ZEBs that went into service in early 2025, and
  • Four ZEBs from the 2022 pilot program

The electrification of our fleet is an important part of the City's Climate Change Master Plan.  

Benefits

A ZEB fleet has the following benefits:

  • No pollution, no greenhouse gas emissions*footnote icon
  • Reduced operating costs
  • Lower noise pollution

Current and future orders

Starting in September 2025, we'll receive:

  • An additional 29 New Flyer Industries ZEBs
  • An additional 47 Nova Bus LFSe+ buses

Accessibility features:

  • Low floor (kneeling)
  • Retractable boarding ramp
  • Spaces for mobility devices
  • Clearer exterior signs
  • Improved interior info screens
  • Audiovisual announcements
  • Artificial vehicle sounds alert pedestrians that the bus is approaching

History and milestones

Converting our entire bus fleet to ZEBs is no easy feat. Here is a timeline of the key steps in this process:

Climate Change Master Plan cover sheet
Pantographs
Overhead charging infrastructure at St‑Laurent South Garage
  • JAN 2025

    First bus of New Flyer Industries delivery enters service

  • Q1 2025

     First 4 Nova Bus LFSe+ delivered

  • Q2–Q4 2025

    New electrical infrastructure including a substation

  • Q3 2025

    Structural retrofit of St‑Laurent North Garage begins

New Flyer XE40 at St. Laurent Garage South
  • Q4 2025 – 2026

  • 2026

    • + 124 ZEBs delivered
    • Work at St‑Laurent North Garage complete
  • 2027

    • + 120 ZEBs delivered
    • New parking garage opens at 1500 St‑Laurent
100% electric banner

What’s a structural retrofit?

A structural retrofit prepares a garage for ZEB electrical infrastructure and ZEB parking/charging. This work involves:

  • New and improved sprinkler system
  • Replacement of trench drains
  • Localized concrete repairs
  • Fire separation
  • New lighting and overhead doors
  • Ceiling structure upgrades to support the weight of pantographs

For St‑Laurent South Garage, this work will take place in two phases. Phase 1 started in 2023 and finished in February 2024. Fifteen lanes were retrofitted (13 for bus parking and 2 for electrical charging equipment) during this phase. Phase two is from January 2025 to October 2025. Twelve lanes are being retrofitted (11 for bus parking and 1 for electrical charging equipment).  None of these lanes are maintenance lanes. The are only for bus parking and charging.

What do electrical infrastructure upgrades entail?

Garage electrical infrastructure work involves:

  • Installing electrical rooms, charging cabinets, and pantographs
  • Cabling to connect ZEB charging equipment
  • Testing and commissioning to ensure the equipment works properly

Funding and sponsors

This project is funded in part by the Government of CanadaGovernment of Canada logo.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) invested $380 million with the ZEB program. This will help finance up to 354 ZEBs through 2027. 

The CIB’s loan will go towards upfront costs of the buses. The lower operating costs of ZEBs compared to diesel buses cover the loan’s repayment.

Hydro Ottawa supplies energy and charging equipment through a separate agreement with the City.

The Next Stop Blog

The Next Stop Blog is your destination for OC Transpo stories and explainers. We want you to get to know OC Transpo. Not a little better, but a lot better.

We want to tell you more about your journey as we take you to your destination. We have exciting stories to tell from the people who are trying to make your trip better every day.

ZEB stories and explainers

Image - A Day in the Life of a Zero-Emission Bus

A Day in the Life

Zero-Emission Bus

Join The Next Stop Blog and come behind the scenes to learn what a typical day is for one of our ZEBs and how they are transforming Ottawa’s transit system.

Zero Emission Bus on the streets of Ottawa (January 2023) with Next Stop Blog logo

OC Explained

Zero Emission Bus Project

Less greenhouse gas emissions, same great service and lower operating costs.

A volunteer in a Santa hat loads a bus with non-perishable food donations

Recap

November 25 Transit Commission Update

2025 draft budget, Para Transpo Talk series, arrival of the latest zero-emission bus (ZEB) and our 40th annual OC Transpo/Loblaw Holiday Food Drive.

ZEB on charge box with Next Stop Blog logo

Recap

October 10 Transit Commission Update

Update on our Zero Emission Buses, upcoming Line 1 maintenance and the New Ways to Bus campaign.

*That is, levels falling within the GHG and air pollutant measure set by the Government of Canada.